The Devastating Impact of COVID School Closures on Education

The New York Times editorial board has published an editorial stating that the school closures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic may be the most damaging disruption in the history of American education. The closures have resulted in significant learning losses, widened the achievement gap, and negatively impacted students' mental health. The editorial calls for urgent action from elected officials and the education community to address the long-term consequences of these closures, including providing federal aid and addressing the epidemic of absenteeism. The Times' stance on school closures has evolved, as it previously supported closures in 2020 but now acknowledges the detrimental effects they have had on students.